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Gosh, my daughter is getting heavy
There's nothing better than when I walk into the house after work and Ana Isabel runs up to me yelling "papa."
I usually pick her up and give her a kiss. I ask her if she has been a good girl and ask about the day's activities. It's usually a short conversation, aside from the fact that she's not even 3 yet, I usually arrive just before bedtime.
There are other times when I pick her up and carry her around. At the mall, during walks to the store or when she wakes in the morning. But since her brother, Lucas Emilio, arrived two months ago Ana wants me to carry her all the time. She was 35 pounds at her last doctor's visit. So my arm hurts after a while.
My wife says Ana has me wrapped around her little fingers. Maybe so. But I see the time when I'm going to have to stop just because my arm is about to be pulled out of its socket.
Any suggestions on how to encourage my daughter from making that same request over and over and over. My arm would sure appreciate it.
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Comments
Mine is 4 now and she got too heavy for me last year, especially after I pulled a muscle in my shoulder :( I told her mama had a boo-boo but would she be my beautiful big girl and hold my hand? It still works unless she's very tired. Then I just feel bad saying no and pick her up anyway. Bought me a therapeutic pillow ...
Posted by: Patty | June 26, 2008 1:52 PM
Mine is 4 now and she got too heavy for me last year, especially after I pulled a muscle in my shoulder :( I told her mama had a boo-boo but would she be my beautiful big girl and hold my hand? It still works unless she's very tired. Then I just feel bad saying no and pick her up anyway. Bought me a therapeutic pillow ...
Posted by: Patty | June 26, 2008 1:52 PM
If your three year is too heavy for you, it is clear that you are in desperate need of building muscle. Start working out. Soon she'll be a teenager and you'll wish you had held her more often.
Posted by: Lee | June 26, 2008 4:28 PM
It's true Lee I haven't been getting to the gym as often as I would like.
But this is more about getting Ana to realize papa can't carry her all the time. Not my physical conditioning.
Posted by: Luis Perez | June 26, 2008 4:38 PM
Luis, I think the first poster is right on. Just something like, "Daddy's arm hurts when I carry you too much. " It also helps to only carry her at specific, limited times, like maybe only when you come home from work. After you deny her a few times and repeat when you will pick her up, it will be easy. You'll have to stick to your guns though. You could always have her walk with you to the couch and snuggle for a bit. Also, bring an umbrella stroller if you think she'll get tired of walking somewhere like the mall.
Posted by: Amy | June 26, 2008 7:55 PM
Be happy that you even have a child running up to you for anything at all! Those of us who have fallen victim to PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME, only have our children running away or emotionally distancing themselves from us, all together! So, this is entirely a matter of prospective........
Posted by: Ronald B. Keys | June 27, 2008 8:44 AM
Be happy that you even have a child running up to you for anything at all! Those of us who have fallen victim to PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME, only have our children running away or emotionally distancing themselves from us, all together! So, this is entirely a matter of prospective........
Posted by: Ronald B. Keys | June 27, 2008 8:44 AM
Amy I know you're right in my head, intellectually. But I break down when Ana is standing in front of me, hands up and asking Pluuueeese!
Maybe my wife is right. I'm a sucker for my daughter. But at a certain point, I'll have to stop. And it may come when my shoulder gives out. We'll see. Thank you for the tips. I'll give it a shot and keep you all posted.
Posted by: Luis Perez | June 27, 2008 11:41 AM
I say pick her up as long as you can. Our children grow up so fast - you'll look back and cherish the days when you were able to pick her up, sooner than you think!!
Posted by: dadoftwo | June 27, 2008 3:07 PM
I carried my kids until I could no longer hold them, then I simply told them you are too heavy for me anymore. That's that, no need to agonize over it.
As for Amy - "parental alienation syndrome" ?!? What the he11 is that - sounds like more new-age drivel designed to push personal responsibility away to me
Posted by: Jeff | June 27, 2008 3:08 PM